Former president Bill Clinton to serve as honorary US bid chair

Clinton to serve as honorary US bid chair

NEW YORK — Bill Clinton will serve as the honorary chairman of the United States’ bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

The United States submitted the paperwork for the bid to FIFA last week. The former U.S. President said “we now have seven months of hard work ahead.”

Clinton was in office when the United States hosted the 1994 World Cup and the 199 Women’s World Cup, attending games at both events.

Clinton joins New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger, New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and former U.S. women’s star Mia Hamm as members of the board of directors for the bid committee.

FIFA will announce the hosts of the 2018 and 2022 tournaments on Dec. 2.